The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-08-18

wiser selection than trustees. Teachers
are largely to blame for the many
changes, as each one wanted his favorites.
He thought one of the greatest faults of
the country schools was their want of sys-
tenn and grading, and believed uniform
series would reduce this fault materially.
Doctor Macfarlane, of Austin, said the
uniform system had worked we'll in Can
ada. He thought if Texas would get up a
series of books, and force its adoption,
that the same favorable results would be
reached here. He thought nothing was
more inimical to a students progress
than being tossed from one text book to
another.
Superintendent Cooper referred to Cal
ifornia as state that had recently adopt
ed this plan, but as the experiment had
so recently gone on trial no results that
were decisive could be cited. The state
superintendent of that state seemed san
guine of success.
Professor Adams,of Bell county, said he
had never seeh the country school yet that
changed every year; that was one of the
things they wouldn't do. He said if they
changed every year it would seem
as if they would get good
books by accident some time,
Superintendent Cooper said there was a
growing dissatisfaction with the present
method among the people as evidenced by
the press, the Farmers Alliance and by
the legislature.
Mr.. Mcleod moved that the book men
present be asked to present their views.
Mr.. Wilkins said the uniform system
for the state had been tried by many
states in this section of the United States,
and none of them had ever tried it a
second term. He said as to the California
experiment, $250000 had been asked for
the plant and $4,000 had been given,
and the state had gone into the publish
ing business, He said other firms would
be glad to sell their books at the same
prices Californians are obliged to pay for
books made for them by the state; so that
the failure to cheaper books by state pub.
LEGATION in Virginia has been repeated in
California. He favored adoption by
schools.
Mr.. Benson favored district adoption.
Prof. Gallagher, of Waco, said no one
system that could be adopted wonld suit
all the schools in Texas. He thought each
school should adopt a uniform system for
itself, according to its special needs. He
thought, where practicable, books should
be bought by the people and furnished to
the pupils free, or at some slight fee, to
be determined by experiment. By this
plan, family from one place to another
does not have to purchase new books, as
books are furnished.
Mr.. Lennon, of Gainesville, said Mis-
souri, had once adopted books by counties.
The law was imperative, as there was no
penalty for violation, and it was no where
observed. 1t opened the gates for COR
ruption, and debased the public's morol
tone. Missouri has had enough of county
adoption. He said that in state adoption,
the books fitted for the country were not
fitted for. the towns. Two sets at least
would have to be adopted If peculiar
fitness at all is to be considered, where
shall the line be drawn Why not let each
school, knowing its own peculiar needs so
we'll, make its own adoptionH So far as
cheapness under state publication
is concerned, that has already been
exploded by the experience of Virginia.
and California but a knowledge of econ
omlc law teaches us that there is nothing
SO potent in lowering the price of goods
as competition, which could not obtain
under state legislation. If the state
adopted a series of books each year for
the schools to use, the frequent changes so
odious now would not be avoided. The
plan is generally to adopt for term of
years. Suppose our state adopts for five
years; does anybody suppose this would
obviate the frequent changes. 1t would
obviate frequency but would make one
stupendous change in the beginning.
Probably not more than e-tenth of the
pupils would have the books adopted by
the state. Nine-tenths would have to buy
new books. Did anybody suppose as
sweeping a change as that would be made
in the next five years under the present
system. More money would be paid out
Immediately under state adoption for new
books than in five years in annual install
ments under the present system. The
plan of furnishing free textbooks has
been tried by many of the eastern cities
and found to work admirably. The
price per pupil has been re-
duced at least half and had
been the cause of great improvement in
prompt entrance and full attendance.
Supt. Cooper thought free books desir-
able, but not practicable in the country.
He could see no reason why the plan
might not be adopted in the cities. He
read summary from State Superintend-
ent Raub's report, to the effect that state
adoptions and county were undesirable,
but that free books had been found to
work well. He said the fact that foreign
countries can and do prescribe books for
the state, does not furnish a precedent for
us. The county adoption is open to the
same objections as the state. Each school
should have a uniform series.
Mr. Pritchett, of Huntsville, thought the
trouble in the country was not that they
changed too often, but that they didn't
change often enough. You can't make a
scholar out of student who studies but
one book. He thought if the cases, where
it was claimed that large quantities of
books had been rendered useless by
changes we're examined into, they would
be found grossly exaggerated. 1t it should
be examined, it would be proven
that the amount paid yearly
for books by the head of the family was
really inconsiderable. County adoption
in Missouri had not been observed by a
respectable minority. He favored the
adoption by schools.
A motion was passed that committee
of three be appointed by the chair to
make report to the council ON the sub
ject Monday next.
The chair appointed Messrs. Lennon,
Pritchett and Coleman,